2009 BMW 335d Suwanee GA

November 18, 2009   By Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief



2009 BMW 3-Series

DriverSide Overview
Simple economics determine whether or not alternative fuels for automobiles reach the critical mass necessary to make them viable. As gasoline prices rise, automakers have the motivation to look into other fuel sources that may have been deemed too expensive to produce. In the past, the very nature of the diesel engine demanded that it be loud, smelly and dirty, but significant progress has been made towards making diesel-burning engines as driver and consumer friendly as their gasoline counterparts. These new generation diesel vehicles are hard to distinguish from regular gas cars and the BMW 335d is a perfect example of this. Built to demanding BMW specifications, the 335d car delivers everything consumers have come to expect from the German brand, including style, luxury and performance, all while being greener and more fuel conscious at the pumps.








What's to Like
Make no mistake, this is a BMW, tried and true. The 335d delivers a sporty ride, quiet cabin and plenty of torquey power thanks to the twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel engine. Thanks to the dynamic exterior styling, there’s no mistaking this sedan for anything but the best Germany has to offer. Then there’s the fuel economy, which is phenomenal at 23 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, not to mention lower CO2 emissions.
 
What's Not to Like
All that extra fuel economy comes at a price – a solid $4,600 over the base 335i , to be exact. At that rate, it’ll take you a good while to break even from fuel savings on your initial investment, but like buying an Apple over a PC, you get what you pay for. The 335d is only available as an automatic, which may be a turnoff for some.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Diesels produce significantly more torque than their gasoline counterparts, but almost nothing can compare to the thrust produced by the twin-turbo inline six-cylinder diesel engine – it is almost as if BMW made an M3d. The car produces 425 lb-ft of torque and turbo lag is kept to a minimum thanks to an incredibly well adjusted forced-induction system. Stepping on the accelerator becomes a guilty pleasure as you almost end up begging for a stoplight just so you can feel the kick off the line. BMW has worked tirelessly to keep the 335d true to their “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra, keeping the weight balance close to the hallowed 50/50 front/rear distribution. The 335d is one diesel that can handle the power on tap, carving up on ramps and undulating back roads with ease.
 
Engine and Drivetrain
Powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the 335d produces 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that powers the rear wheels. Thanks to the improved fuel economy in the 335d, this car has a range of around 5...

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